Review: TAP Air Portugal Economy Class
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TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal is the flag carrier of Portugal. The airline was founded in 1945 and now it is a member of the biggest airline alliance in the world, Star Alliance. TAP Air Portugal (TP) also has codeshare agreements with about 30 other airlines. TAP Air Portugal flies domestic routes inside Portugal and international flights across Europe, America and Africa. With about 90 planes in the fleet, TAP is a medium-sized European airline with a respected brand.
TAP operates only Airbus fleet. Short-haul routes are operated with Airbus A320 series and longer flights with Airbus A330. TAP is a pure Airbus company.
TAP Express
TAP Air Portugal has also a regional airline called TAP Express. It operates only short and medium haul routes. The airline flies with ATR turboprops and Embraer turbofans.
Lisbon is the other hub of TAP Air Portugal and TAP Express.
TAP Cabin Classes
There is a business class in TAP's aircract. In this review, we concentrate only on the economy class.
Economy class tickets are divided to four price classes with different service levels. Economy class seats are also divided to two areas: the normal economy class seats and EconomyXtra seats.
EconomyXtra seats are coloured as red and they are located just behind the business class. These seats are more spacious, they have USB charging sockets and a reclining seat.
The normal economy class is behind the EconomyXtra. Seats there are coloured as green and they are missing the extra features that EconomyXtra seats have. Onboard meals are usually simpler than in EconomyXtra.
With the cheapest tickets, you will end up to a traditional economy class seat. With a more expensive ticket, an EconomyXtra seat may be yours. EconomyXtra seats are available only in Airbus A330 and Airbus A321neo planes. In other aircraft types, all economy seats are similar except that there are a few more spacious seats around the emergency exits.
Services in Economy Class
The cheapest economy class ticket does not include a hold luggage. Only a standard sized carry-on luggage with the maximum weight of 8kKg is allowed. A more expensive economy ticket includes 23 kg hold luggage. The same rules apply to domestic and international flights.
TAP still serves meals and drinks even in the economy class. On short routes, the meal means a simple snack. When the route gets longer, the snack may be hot or a cold meal. On EconomyXtra seats, the meal is better. The drink selection includes soft drinks, beer and wine.
Our Flight from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada
In February 2020, we flew from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada with TAP Air Portugal. We boarded a brand new Airbus A321neo. The cabin had a business class and an economy class. The economy class was divided into two sections: The red EconomyXtra area and the green area - economy class. We sat in the normal economy class while we were flying with discounted tickets.
After the take off from Lisbon, we headed right away to the Atlantic.
The whole cabin was almost empty. Only about 30% of the seats were taken. The flight departed on time and it also arrived to Ponta Delgada on schedule. The flight was eventless.
During our flight, the cabin was almost empty.
Rating
Check-in and boarding
The ground crew handled the boarding process fast. People were shared to four queues and those who had only a small bag were allowed to board first. The onboard crew were friendly and efficient.
Cabin
The cabin of Airbus A321neo looked very clean and stylish. The nice use of red and green colours on the seats made the cabin to look fresh. Legroom in the normal economy class is not big but it was enough for us.
TAP Air Portugal has decorated the cabins with green and red colours.
Onboard Services and Entertainment
We were offered soft drinks, tea and coffee and a small bag of chips. Also complimentary alcohol was available. Passengers in the EconomyXtra had a better serving. In the era of low-cost airlines, it is always nice to have complimentary onboard services.
TAP served chips, coke and tea free of charge.
Airbus A321neo didn't have onboard entertainment systems nor WiFi. Airbus A321LR and A330neo have them. TAP Portugal magazine was available.
Ticket Price
Our ticket was really affordable costing less than 50 euros per person. According to our investigation, the price level of TAP Air Portugal is competitive. Tickets also give value for the money.
Overall Rating
A short-haul flight in the economy class of TAP Air Portugal was a great experience. Our tickets were affordable but we got in to a brand new plane. It was stylishly decorated and the crew behaved professionally. Also complimentary drinks and snacks were served. We were pleased with the price-quality ratio on these flights and plan to fly TAP again in the future. In other words, we can recommend flying with this airline.
Bottom Line
TAP Air Portugal is a good choice if you are flying between Europe and South America or around the Southwest Europe. The company has many well-equipped new aircraft in the fleet. Especially the new neo fleet (A321neo and A330neo) can be recommended. They are really comfortable and the cabins look nice.
It is important to compare flight prices because they vary a lot. Find the best flight deals on Momondo.
Have you flown with TAP Air Portugal? Comment below how you felt it!
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Tips For Your Next Journey...
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Readers' Comments (20)
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Do not fly with Tap airlines. I booked a flight late 2019 so that me and my family could fly from Canada to Portugal August 2020. The pandemic hit and we tried to get a refund but had to settle for a voucher or we would lose our money. My voucher will expire June 2021. I called for an extension and was told they will not give me an extension and if I don't use the voucher then I loose my money.
DO NOT BOOK WITH TAP.
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Every single airline company had problems with the covid, they suffered and they will suffer with the business cut, so sometimes the customer service can be affected by the circumstances. I've used tap many times in the past and never had a single problem and I think it's a very reliable and safe company. My parents they do not fly with other than tap.
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TAP has to be one of the most horrible airlines and no wonder their reviews are horrible as well! My aunt was scheduled to come to America from Portugal but had to switch her flight in November 2020 and March 2021 due to United States borders only being open for citizens and aliens. My aunt was charged about 300 each time the flight was changed which is ludicrous. I contacted TAP and questioned about the charge since there isn’t a way for her to visit US and the agent was not helpful and when asked to speak with a supervisor he said there’s no way that can be done! TAP do better because without your consumer you are NOTHING!
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Booked last February,2019 for October trip to Lisbon from Miami. Covid lock- down.Unable to go. Got a TAP credit of only 50% of flights.Aprox, $700.00 from the 1,500 I spent. Must rebook by September of this year for travel within a year. Horrible contact experience like others mentioned to even get the credit that I did get.Website is Horrible to Navigate. I will use the credit and go to Portugal. But I'll never use this airline after. Shame on them for taking advantage of people during this pandemic.
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the problem with TAP, there is no way contacting client services on the phone from canada orUSA. the posted numbers to call never go through. My ante canceled her flight last August bkz of COVID travelling restrictions. she got am email that a voucher will be emailed to her, till now she hasen't received the voucher nor we could get in touch with TAP client service. I won't recommend dealing with TAP from canada or USA.
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It may have been a good company while things were good. But let's be real. They have shown their true colors during the pandemic. They took my money, changed my flight, and when I asked for a refund they promised one. 6 months later, they still haven't returned my money. They give a scripted answer and then ignore all other messages. I have now flagged them as scams and fraud on all my credit cards. Because that's what they did. They are breaking the law.
Thank you for the comment. Well said, COVID has caused many challenges to the airlines.